Sport

NFF to Ban Use of Stadia for Non-sporting Activities Nationwide

Published

9 years ago

March 10, 2016

An NFF official, Chidi Offor-Okenwa, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Wednesday that the action had become necessary to cut down the cost of maintaining the stadia.

Offor-Okenwa, who is also the Chairman of Enugu State Football Association, said that the federation had succeeded in stopping the state government, political parties and other interest groups from using the stadium.

“The good people of Enugu State and of course, the government of Enugu State appreciates the fact that stadia in Enugu State are purely for sporting activities.

“We (presently) don’t have a record of hosting religious activities at the main bowl of Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

“In Enugu here, the stadium is actually meant for football; it is meant for athletes, it is meant for indoor games and we appropriately put the facilities in use in that vein.

“So also for Rangers (International FC, Enugu) camp and of course the UNEC (University of Nigeria Enugu Campus) stadium.

“We ensure that we don’t conduct any religious activity; any unsporting activity in our facilities.

“And we take that message to all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria to ensure that the (sporting) facilities last and serve the purpose (for) which it was built with the tax payers money.’’

He said that the federation had warned stadium managers against “unsporting and extraneous activities’’and its implications on the development of sports.

NAN reports that non-sporting activities such as religious, political and social gathering had led to the deterioration of most sports facilities, especially stadia in the country.

NAN

Sport

NFF Denies Blacklisting Leon Balogun from Super Eagles

Published

3 months ago

February 18, 2025

lagoslately

Leon Balogun, whose sudden absence from the Super Eagles squad raised concerns, especially after his comments on players’ welfare, has been cleared by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF). The NFF has denied that his exclusion is related to his outspoken interview.

In a statement, NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire addressed the rumors, stating that the claims were incorrect.

“The interview in question was in June 2021. Since then, Balogun has participated in seven games for the Super Eagles. This is verifiable. He was included in the squad for AFCON but missed out due to injury. He returned in 2022, playing in both World Cup qualifier matches against Ghana and in the AFCON qualifiers under coach Jose Peseiro,” Olajire explained.

He continued, “Claims that Balogun’s absence is due to his interview are unfair to the NFF. We do not make player selections for coaches, and the concerns raised by Balogun in that interview were addressed by us. No directive has been given by the NFF to blacklist him from the Super Eagles.”

With Eric Chelle’s list on the horizon, fans are hopeful for a potential Balogun return. His wealth of experience and continued presence in top-tier football make him a valuable asset, and many, including this writer, believe his inclusion would still be beneficial for the national team. Fingers crossed!

Sport

Ghana Coach Relieved to Avoid Nigeria in Group Stages

Published

3 months ago

February 15, 2025

lagoslately

Ghana’s Black Satellites head coach, Desmond Ofei, has expressed his team’s relief at not being in the same group as Nigeria for the upcoming U-20 AFCON.

This follows their 2-1 loss to Nigeria in the final of the WAFU B U-20 Championship in Togo last year.

“We’re happy not to be in Group B because it’s a very competitive group,” Ofei shared with Joy Prime Sports. “I believe we’re in a position where we can control the flow of this tournament from our side.”

Ghana has been placed in Group A for the competition.